Benefit Accuracy Measurement

What Is It?

The Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) Program is a system designed to prevent both error and fraud in the Unemployment Insurance Program. It is an audit of the records of a "sample" group of claimants, selected each week at random, to test the accuracy of the Unemployment Insurance payments they receive. A "sample" group of claimants are also selected each week at random to test the accuracy of Unemployment Insurance determinations if the claimant has been denied benefits.

What Does It Include?

The audit consists of a review of claimant statements, employer records, and Unemployment Insurance Division records.

Claimant interview

Eligibility investigation

Payroll records verification

Separation investigation

Work search contacts verification

Unemployment Insurance Division actions and records review

How Is It Done?

The claimant completes a questionnaire.

Former employers may be contacted to verify payroll records and to provide separation information.

Employers listed on the weekly claim form, or in the claimant's records, verify the work search contacts.

Eligibility issues may be investigated.

How Are The Cases Selected for Audit?

Each week a list of claimants who received unemployment insurance payments during the preceding weeks is created. A separate list is created for claimants who were denied unemployment insurance payments during the preceding weeks.

Sample claim records are then chosen at random.

A claim may be audited more than once. The number of times is not predictable, since new cases are randomly selected each week.

How Will You Know If You Are Selected?

You will be notified that a particular week is being audited after that week has passed, and you have been paid or denied benefits.

You will be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about your claim either in person, by phone, or by mail.

If you have returned to work, the investigator will arrange to contact you outside your work hours if an in-person interview is required.

Why Is The Audit Being Made?

The audit makes certain that your claim has been paid or denied correctly. If you receive less or more than you should have been paid, an adjustment may be made.

The audit results give administrators of the Unemployment Insurance Program information to use in improving the program.